A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village

Andrew T. Gilbert House
Location 116 Marion St., NE, Salem, Oregon
Coordinates 44°56′42″N 123°2′28″W / 44.94500°N 123.04111°W / 44.94500; -123.04111Coordinates: 44°56′42″N 123°2′28″W / 44.94500°N 123.04111°W / 44.94500; -123.04111
Area 0.2 acres (0.081 ha)
Built 1887
Architect Charles A. Robert
Architectural style Queen Anne
NRHP reference # 80003350[1]
Added to NRHP November 06, 1980

The Gilbert House Children's Museum is an interactive children's museum located in Salem, Oregon, United States. This hands-on museum was named in honor of American inventor Alfred Carlton Gilbert and displays several of his inventions, most notably the Erector Set. In fact, the Village is home to the world's largest Erector Set tower at 52 feet.[2][3] Originally home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, the museum sold the Hall of Fame to the Strong - National Museum of Play in 2002.[4]

Besides its interactive exhibits, Gilbert House Children's Museum also provides summer camps, birthday party packages, and outreach programs.

The museum is housed in several historic Victorian buildings, including the Andrew T. Gilbert House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and a 1998 replica of the Wilson-Durbin House, which was also NRHP-listed until it was destroyed by fire in 1990.[5]

Exhibits

Replica of the Wilson-Durbin House
  • Erector Set Tower – A 52 feet high erector set tower; the largest in the world. There are also 3 giant slides and a maze.
  • City of Salem Paddle Wheeler - A model of the City of Salem, a ship that once served the people of Salem.
  • American Flyer Train
  • Mammoth Dig – A simulated archaeological dig for children.
  • Earth's Core
  • Discovery Campground
  • Miniature Village – Model homes from around the world in a global village.
  • Amphitheater

[6]

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ Answers.com - Erector Sets
  3. ↑ A.C.'s Backyard Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Kids apply themselves at Museum of Play. Archived October 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. CNN, accessed October 10, 2007.
  5. ↑ Gilbert House Children's Museum: About Us Archived 2009-05-29 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2014-03-16.


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